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Wallace provides offensive spark
Among the few highlights in the Astros’ 13-4 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday was Brett Wallace’s pair of home runs in his third game back from the minors.
They were his third and fourth major league home runs in 14 games this season to go with his 16 home runs in 86 games at Class AAA. One went to right-center and the other to left-center, which has Wallace thinking that things are going well.
“That’s the ideal spot, because even the pitch is in, if I’m hitting them to right-center or maybe just a little further over to right but not all the way down the line, it kind of keeps me in the middle of the field,†the lefthanded hitter said. “That way, I have a chance to stay on everything, whether it’s off-speed pitches or fastballs.â€
Paredes in left, but shift possible
Don’t read too much into Jimmy Paredes’ beginning his Class AAA outfield excursion in left, Brad Mills said.
The Astros have tried to get Paredes fluent in outfield work in order to get him to the major leagues faster than were he to stay behind Jose Altuve at second base. Left field is the easiest outfield position for transition and the only one Paredes has played.
“We got him in left field since he has at least been out there in the past,†Mills said. “In the Dominican in winter ball last year, he played some left field.
“We think he has the ability and the arm to play center field and the speed to do it.â€
Paredes played left field for Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, marking the first time he had ever done it in the Yankees’ or Astros’ organization. He finished the game with a batting average of .324, a .355 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage. He is expected to be called up to provide a boost for an Astros outfield that is hitting .219 â€" by far the worst in the league.
The Astros just have to watch his progress and determine when his glove sufficiently complements his his major league-ready bat.
“How much time is probably going to depend a lot on the individual,†Mills said. “You think with a guy like him, probably not real long because of his athleticism. He’s able to run, able to move, throw. I think you just have to see how he reads balls off the bat, how he makes adjustments in flight to balls.â€
Castro ready for rehab stint
Jason Castro is set to begin a rehab assignment, perhaps as soon as Friday, after missing nearly the last four weeks with swelling in his knee.
The current plan calls for Castro to join Class AA Corpus Christi on Friday, though that may change. He’ll start out catching three innings and work his way up slowly.
“We’ll work him up to nine innings, and then we’d like to see him catch a couple games at nine innings, because when he gets up here, he’s going to have to catch back-to-back days,†manager Brad Mills said.
Odds and ends on injury front
Jed Lowrie was fitted for a new brace that increases his range of motion from the last one, but nobody is any closer to determining when he may return. Lowrie has been on the disabled list since July 15 because of multiple lower leg injuries from a collision at second base. …
J.D. Martinez was out of the starting lineup for the second day in a row with an elbow injury sustained when he slipped in the dugout, Brad Mills said, though Martinez would have been available to pinch-hit. …
Wilton Lopez was available but wasn’t used Wednesday afternoon after he was unable to get loose Tuesday night.
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